Permutation lock for automobiles



A. P. umm. l PERMUTATION uLOCK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-28| |919. l 1,417, 340, Patented May 23, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

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ANDR PIERRE LITREM, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PERIVIUTTION IJOCK FOR AUTOMOBILES.

narrare.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, i922.

Application filed November 28, 1919. Serial No. 340,992.

To czZZ whom i may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDR Pinnen LrrnnM, a citizen of the Republic of France, and a resident of 48 Rue Crozatier, Paris, France,

ting the ignition of the motor out of action,

or locking certain parts of the car.

The putting out of action of the ignition or the locking of the change speed gear renders the theft more difficult, but do not constitute absolutely efficient means, as they do not prevent from taking the car in tow.

The most efficient means consists in locking the steering gear, as, in this case, the car can be driven neither alone or in tow.

vThisinvention relates to a permutation lock particularly applicable to the steering gear of an automobile, allowing to loclr the latter or to release it, at will, in a very simple and rapid manner giving the greatest security.

This device is essentially characterized by a bolt earriedby the outer tube ofthe steering gear; this bolt may be engaged in the tube or4 rod integral with the steering pillar and is maintained in its locking position by la combination system `allowing' the displacement of the said bolt only if its elements are at the chosen combination.

The invention is, moreover, characterized by the special arrangement ofthe combination system, composed of a series of rotating elements exteriorly bearing digits orfletters and provided with notches allowing the passage of studs or hooks carried by the stem of the bolt, when these elements occupythe required position. These elements are each composed of two members, the position of which may be varied so as to allow of alteringthe combination `at will. Moreover, the

elements are entirely separated by intermediate liXed elements which render each of them independent from the other elements.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, aform of execution of the locking device.

In these drawings e Figure 1 is an outside view of the new device;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to that of Fig. 2, in which 'the parts occupy another position;

Figs. 4 to 11a are detail views;

Fig. l2 shows the new device in position.

As shown in these drawings, in the eX- ample illustrated, the improved device comprises a tube a forming a casing, adapted to be securely fastened on the steering pillar b, Fig. l2, for instance by means of a strong angle bracket b1.

In the upper part of this tube, which is enlarged, is arranged the combination de- Vice comprising a series of similar superposed elements.

Each element comprises a drum c, shown separately in Figs. 6 and 7, provided with a milled portion Z projecting in an opening al of the tube, Fig. l, so as to allow of rotating this drum when desired.

The said drum is provided with a cup c1, Fig. 6, in which may be fitted a washer e, shown separately in Figs. l and 5.

This washer carries a pin f capable of entering into one of thecorresponding holes f1 of the drum, as illustrated in Fig. 10; it results therefrom that the washer e may occupy relatively to this drum c, a number of positions equal to the number of holes f1; to each hole corresponds one of the letters or digits inscribed on the periphery of the drum, Fig. l.

The said washer e is recessed at its center and is provided with a notch g, Fig. 5, adapted to allow the passage of a corresponding stud h, carried by the bolt c', Fig. ll, as will be explained hereafter.

In the lower part of the drum are formed notches y' which may beobtained, in practice, by extending the holes f1 to the base of the drum.

In these notches lits the boss of a spring 7c, Figs. 9 and l0, secured to a part Z which is the intermediate washer separating two consecutive elements.

This washer Z which is shown separately in Figs. 8 and 9, is provided with a cup m in which rests the base nof a small projecting part formed on the lower portion of the drum c, Fig. 6.

In the washer Z is formed a notch o, Fig. 9J adapted to let freely pass the stud 7i of the bolt, Fig. l1, and this washer is provided yyish a projection p fitting in a slot q ofthis The base of the intermediate washer Z is provided'with a projecting portion r which rests on the washer e of the element located underneath.

These various members, when assembled, occupy7 the position shown in F ig. 10.

The bolt z' has a ser-ies of `studs ./z., as above stated, the number of Which is equal to that of the elements of the combination. Its upper part passes through the threaded plug s which screws into and closes the upper part of the tube a, Fig. 3, and terminates in a knob t threaded thereon and carrying a stud t1 adapted to enter into a corresponding hole t2 of the plug s.

On this bolt is secured a Washer u bearing on a spring o located in the base of the tube a.

The bolt passesI through the base of this tube. It is guided by a projection o1 fitting in a slot 2'1, in the bolt in such a manner that it can slide parallel to itself, but cannot turn.

The operation is as follows Suppose itis desired to lock the steering gear of the vehicle provided With the improved device.

, This device being in the position indicated in Fig. l, the milled portion of the drum c is acted upon from the exterior, so as to bring in the axis of the opening` or Window the digits or letters of the combination.

Iach` drum is successively acted upon. For each of them, the operation is facilitated by the click produced by the boss k1 .of the small spring 7c falling in the notches which are presented in front of the same. As the Washers Z are stationary at the time the drums are being set, the spring 7u arrests the drum when in proper position and holds -it in this position.

It will be noted that by acting on drum, there is no risk of actuating the other drums, as thel drum under consideration is separated from the other drums by the two adjacent intermediate washers. These Washers are fixed, their projections p, engaged in the slot Q of the bolt. preventing them from turning.

When all the drums have been brought to the required position, the Washers e which rotate therewith present all their openings g opposite the studs 7L.

If at this moment, the knob t is pressed upon, the bolt caninove downward through the entire column of the combination eleA ments; the studs 7e,- pass through the open,- ings f/ and notches 0.

y holdingy the knob t in its depressed position, `so as .to compress the spring fa, the drums .are caused to rotate, kthus mingling .the combination.

'The knob may then be released; the bolt is .llieldfby the studs 71. engaged under the vWashers c, position illustrated in Fig. 3.

In this position, the end of the bolt which projects'outside, enters the inner tube of the ysteering gear and prevents it from turning.

It will be seen that the stud t1 entering into the recess t2, renders the knob t rigid with the plug s. @ne of the screvv'connections connecting the knob to the bolt and the plug tothe tube has a right-hand thread and the other a left-hand thread, so that in the position shown in Fig. 3, it is impossible to unscreW simultaneously the knob and plug.

For opening, the drums are'set back to the required combination andthe bolt is pushed out of its recess under the action of its spring.

F or altering the chosen combination, the knob t and plug s are unscretved, thus allowing the bolt and the entire mechanism to be removed. The yvarious Washers may be spaced apart and the relative position of the Washers e relatively to the drums c may be modified.

It Will be seen that the drums rest upon the intermediate Washers and the latter in their turn rest upon the Washers e located underneath, through very reduced surfaces so that the friction on these surfaces issmall and that no force is to be exerted for obtaining the rotation of the drums.

The above arrangements are given only by Way of example; the forms, dimensions, materials used and detail arrangements may be varied according to circumstances Without departing thereby from the nature of the invention.

l. In a locking device for automobiles, a casing having an opening, a plurality of combination elements in the casing and provided with notches, a bolt extending through the elements and vprovided with studs for engaging the notches thereof, intermediate Washers separating the elements, means for preventing the Washers from turning, `and a spring secured to each intermediate Washer for engaging with the corresponding element.

2. In a loc-king device for automobiles, a casing having an opening, a plurality of combination elements in the casing and provided With notches, a bolt passing through the elements and provided With studs for engaging the notches of said elements, intermediate Washers separating the elements, said Washers being provided With notches at its rim, and a spring plate secured in the notches of the Washers, said springs engaging with the corresponding element.

3. In a locking device for automobiles, a casing having an opening, a plurality of combination elements in the casing and provided vvith notches, a bolt extending through the elements and provided with studs for engaging the notches thereof, intermediate Washers separating the elements, means for preventing the washers from turning, a spring secured to .each intermediatewvasher,

a boss on the spring, and a notch in the element in Which fits the said boss.

4. In a locking device for automobiles, a

casing, a plurality of combination elements in the casing and provided with notches, a bolt passing through the elements :and having studs for engaging the notches of the elements, intermediate Washers separating the elements, means for preventing the Washers from turning, a knob on the end oi the bolt, and provided 'with a stud, and a nut closing the casing and having a groove to receive the stud of the knob, the knob and nut having screw threaded connections with the bolt and casing respectively, one of which connections is arlght hand and the vother a left hand.

5. A locking device for automobiles, comprising a casing having a longitudinal slot, a plurality of combination elements mount ed in the casing'and each provided With a notch, Washers separating the elements and each provided with .a notch and a stud, a bolt mounted in the casing and passing through the elements, said bolt having a 1ongitudinal groove to receive the studs of the Washers and provided with spaced studs for engaging the notches of the elements and washers, and a spring carried by the Washers for arresting the elements when in proper position.

The foregoing specification of my safety device for preventing the theft or' motor cars, signed by me this 3l day of October, 1919.

ANDR PIERRE LITREM.

In the presence olf- HENRY T. WILoox, 

